Discussion:Are half-elves useless?

Are half-elves useless?

71.6.23.194 20:46, 19 December 2007 (MST)

Seems like there's no reason to play a half-elf, unless you had a specific idea for a character based on roleplaying/story concerns. They have far less special features than elves, and none of the advantages of humans except not having a favored class.

Any idea of how to fix them? I'm thinking maybe something that references the flexibility of humans - maybe an extra skill point every other level, and a choice between either an extra feat or the extra skill points a human gets at first level.

X 00:44, 20 December 2007 (MST)

Actually they get something else from their human heritage - no ability changes. The immunities and low-light vision compensate for the feat, and the rised maximums to a few skills compensate for the skill points. Finally - who said the world is fair? ;)

DeadChainer 8:44, 20 December 2007 (MST)

Will we question and debate the balance of every race? lol.

Aarnott 19:34, 20 December 2007 (MST)

And those Whisper Gnomes... Totally broken.

Anyways, I agree that half-elves are underpowered. The skill bonuses do nothing to equal a human. +2 to 2 skills or 4 skill points at first level? The other +1 to skills are just a few more levels of human skillpoints in my opinion.

So to fix them, maybe the +1 feat or +1 to skills would be appropriate, but I consider +1 to skills superior. I do like the adaptive idea. Maybe if they took the feat they should also get the longsword and longbow proficiency (though that doesn't make much sense does it?). Hrm.

Or we could make them like Illumians. Their torn ancestry makes them ideal candidates for multiclassing (they know two worlds). Give them a +1 Caster level to a single spellcasting class that they do not have all their levels in. Or allow them to advance BAB as if they advanced another class they have when they level a new class (ie. gain +1 BAB at level 2 when they go ranger 1 rogue 1). The second is probably broken in a hundred ways, but it seems like an interesting mechanic at least.

Sam Kay 03:43, 21 December 2007 (MST)

Yeah, the second one is broken. A character could take 1 level in fighter, and then enjoy levels in sorcerer or wizard with good BAB.

Aarnott 07:32, 23 December 2007 (MST)

Hrm. I actually meant only once (I just worded it poorly). So the first time you multiclass, you may use the BAB of the previous class you had. For example: Fighter 1 Wizard 1 would have +2, Fighter 1 Wizard 2 would have +3, Fighter 1 Wizard 3 would have +3. I especially liked where that would go with ranger/rogues.

Sam Kay 10:00, 23 December 2007 (MST)

Back on subject, I think Half-Elves need to be more elvy (actually, I think elves need to be more elvy)- If you watch The Fellowship of the Ring, Arwen (a half-elf, daughter of elrond half-elven, who is, in turn, son of Aerendil half-elven) is just like an elf. This is exactly the same in the books, except that Glorfindel turned up in the wild, and frodo rode alone to the ford. Actually, the biggest diffrence between them is that elves are immortal, and can die by the sword or by greif, and half-elves must choose between the life of the Eldar or the life of a mortal. Albeit a several-hundred year old mortal that remains ever youthful. But Hal-Elves don't make me see much elvyness in them. Man I complain about the lack of elvyness alot.

Roszlishan 10:51, 23 December 2007 (MST)

Well, there's elvyness, and elvyness, I suppose. Canon elves are only loosely based of Tolkien, so one might reasonably expect a difference between his version of Elves. I've always considered canonical D&D elves to be closer to the ljosalfar and dokkalfar of more nordic origins. Tolkien's elves would be, I think, an entirely different species. To do them properly, you'd also need Tolkienien men: the Men whose lifespans are in the 200-500 year range (such as the dunèdain were). Tolkenien half-elves could then choose to be either Elves or High Men (if I may call them that). Of course, this brings you to the bastard bloodlines of half-Men, in which the long-life and stature of their forebears decreases).

Gruegirl 20:05, 31 December 2007 (MST)

I agree, half-elves are underpowered... I would probably give them +1 skill point per level in addition to what they have (not +4 at first, +1 at first, and +1 at all others) or I'd give them the pass within 5 ft of a secret door thing.

Alyksandrei 17:12, 24 July 2011 (MDT)

I just gave them all the features of both lineages at first level (except the ability score adjustments), but the human's extra skill points only apply at character creation. Or at least, that's the basic idea of what I did. I may have played with the modifier numbers; I'd have to dig out my notes to remember exactly.

Ganre 03:01, 25 July 2011 (MDT)

You do realize this is a 4 year old discussion, right?

67.2.162.66 19:11, 20 August 2011 (MDT)

I doubt Aly cares, but hey what can we do? xXDHXx

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